Donald Trump declared that "every king and prime minister respects us" as he kicked off the 250th anniversary of US independence at Mount Rushmore.
Speaking below the iconic American monument on the eve of July 4, the President delivered a near-half-hour-long speech decrying communism, praising the States, and hailing the spirit of independence and the accomplishments of the American people.
At one stage in his address, Mr Trump turned his fire on Joe Biden - and then, the kings and prime ministers who mocked the US.
"Two years ago, we were laughed at, mocked, and a nation in decline," he said. "We were in very serious decline.
"The last administration, what they've done to us - we can never, ever forget that.
"And today, we are the hottest country anywhere in the world. Everybody respects us, like no nation.
"Remember this: We're respected like no nation in the world is respected.
"Every king, every prime minister, every president - they respect us more than any other country, by far.
"Two years ago, they laughed at us. Now it's only respect... And I want to tell you, the best is yet to come."
Elsewhere in his speech, Mr Trump turned his fire on communism - which he said poses a "mortal threat" to the US.
He said the ideology was "the exact opposite of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" - Thomas Jefferson's famous words in the Declaration of Independence.
"It's death, tyranny and the pursuit of evil," the President said.
But he went on to triumph the achievements of the US, declaring that in 250 years, the "free people of this land have accomplished more with our liberty than any other society has accomplished even in thousands and thousands of years".
"We are the nation that dreamed and created the modern world," he said.
"Tomorrow, we reach a milestone like no other, and celebrate with joyful hearts and soaring spirits - because after two and a half centuries, we know that this is not an ending, this is only the beginning of the Golden Age of America."
The President is now set to return to Washington DC, where he will oversee a day of anniversary celebrations.
But his claim to be the "hottest country anywhere in the world" looks to have rung true in an unwanted way.
Several of the July 4 celebrations have had to be scaled back amid fears temperatures will reach 40C.
The Washington Monument's opening has been pushed back by four hours, while the State Fair was closed until 5pm yesterday evening.
While the Independence Day Parade, slated to start on Saturday morning, has been cancelled altogether.
More to follow...
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
